I was trying to find some information about the VV1. There's no search function anywhere -- and I'm not going to browse through 200+ pages of 10 threads each. I look through all the pages available to non-registered users, look through your FAQ, and find NOTHING anywhere about the search function. I figure it's gotta be here somewhere, so I register.

I get the activation email, activate my account, and log in. But wait, I have to be approved first. Again, I look through your FAQ, re-read the activation email, and there's no mention of the approval process anywhere.

I finally get the approval email, I come back, and try to do a search for the information I need. I didn't notice that the date range for my search is set to 1 week, so I got 0 results. I set that field and try again. Then I find out there's a LIMIT on how many searches I can do in a particular time period?!

Let me just reiterate my complaints:

1. There's no search function available unless users register. Except they don't know this.
2. You send people an activation email, giving them the impression that they can log in right away. You don't tell people that they'll need to wait hours.
3. The default date range is crazy for a site that archives information like yours does.
4. You make it impossible for people to get the information they want when they want it.
5. You have hundreds, if not thousands, of pages of useful information that is made useless by inaccessibility.

Can't argue about your complaints; especially with respect to the search function have the limit on how soon you can perform another search. I was hoping that when they switched servers that limit would be removed.

But with the others you are not complaining about the process you have to go through, but the lack of info right? I think that can be easily fixed.

Look forward to hearing from you on the main forum!

I, too, am frustrated by some of the limitations of the search function. The developers of our forum software significantly reduced the usability of the search function when they released this new version of UBB.threads. I hope that someday we will have a better version. I don't agree with your complaint about the defaults (e.g. date range), however, since all of that is easily changed.

I use many forums that require registration before the full features can be used. Unfortunately, the sad fact is that the Internet is increasingly inhabited by people who do harm to places like this. We used to allow anonymous posting and less cumbersome registration procedures, until we got bitten more than once and finally had to change our forum settings.

The registration process includes email verification and manual approval, which is all explained on the registration page when you register for the forums. Reading that information can spare you a lot of frustration.

plus even though there are lots of threads posted every day, even if its been asked a hundred times, and you still cant find it, just ask again, theres tons of us who will help you out without even thinking about it twice

So what were you looking for? you seem to have a dire need for the answer to the qustion you seek. ask away......

I agree that the search function is pretty useless in UBB.threads. Interestingly, I am administrator of another forum which uses another product by the same company, Groupee. There, the search is very good. Admittedly, our forum is far smaller than that of LDW, both in number of posts and members. Although I'm no expert, I do know that searches can be very demanding on servers, and can considerably slow down the forum while the search is being carried out. For this reason the defaults are usually set to only carry out a minimum search unless specially requested. Similarly, to prevent people carrying out multiple searches and bringing the whole system to a grinding halt, there is often a limit on the number of searches that can be made in a specified time.

In other words, there is not much that can be done by LDW with the current software.

As mentioned, the issue of security of the board means that, alas, precautions have to be taken to prevent undesirable posts. Since the board covers games suitable for all ages, LDW must be very careful about access to the board, to prevent material appearing that is unsuitable for the younger members.

Sorry to hear your having problems. But you should activate the reg through email. If you need help with games, or anything, we all help each other out. I know I've had lots of help. Good luck and this is a great site, ( the best ).

WOW Arnie, I knew that searching slowed the server down, but I never realized that much. That is why I thought when LDW switched servers and upgraded their forum it would help. (Speed has greatly increased since the changes!!).

It is hard to give links to FAQ when you have to wait so long between searches. Most of the times it is just easier to answer the question rather then trying to find the link to the same answer.

I help manage a forum and because of the once bitten twice shy problems we had we closed the forum to new members unless they were invited by a member of our forum and they were verified to be a legit guest. So I wasn't upset when I went through the hoops yesterday to get signed up as my forum has hoops as well. Yes, people get their jollies off by hurting great sites like these. Pretty pathetic if you ask me.

And if I can't find something in the first two pages I will ask someone to direct me in the right way. Sometimes what your looking for isn't as common and you need a little help and so far everyone here is pretty darn helpful.

For real time help, the shoutbox can be invaluable (assuming you're looking while people are on). "Hey, where do I find the spoiler thread for VV2?" or some such (or even asking your question) can often net you a quick reply.

I do not agree with you. I have never had a problem here finding out what I wanted to know specifically. There are a lot of people willing to help if you just ask. It dosen't hurt to ask. Plus they have all of those forums at the bottom with instructions for each game type. And it dosen't hurt to have patience either. It is obvious this website was designed with member safety in mind. That is good. My grandson just joined and it did not take him hours to log on. Sorry you had that experience but I feel that yours was unique.

I think TheVillageIdiot summed up my problems best:



I understand your policies. What I don't understand is why they're not stated. I had my boyfriend register an account, to check the registration process -- the email verification is explained, but there is nothing that tells you about the manual approval. Again, I don't care that accounts need to be approved, I just think people need to know.

I also know that searches are taxing. If you add one line to the search page, telling people that there's a time limit, they won't be frustrated like I was.

I'm not complaining about the people here. I've since read through some stuff and I understand that people are very helpful. I'm also not complaining about the game-related information here, and the information I was looking for is no longer relevant. What I'm complaining about is the lack of info about the forums.

Anyway, to douse any flames I've started, I'm gonna stop posting in this thread.

Edited to add: Thanks to everyone who welcomed me, offered help, or empathized with my frustration! I really have no complaints about the people here

I hope you will find things easier as time passes for you. I hope this frustrations wont keep you from returning to this forum... good luck on seeking what you are looking for.

I have answered many questions here and have asked some questions as well. the people here are very nice and will help you if you need it.

Agreed.

By the way, in spite of all the shortcomings of our forums software, a time-limit on searches is something you will find at almost any forum. Try world of warcraft or any public forum, and you will find that many of them limit to one search per minute.

This is to prevent 'flooding' or other denial of sevice attacks on the forums, because searches are very processor intensive.

We added manual approval because some users would hop in, leave inappropriate ads or comments, and offend users before we could remove the posts. Blame those bad apples for that particular policy change.

In any case, we'll make the best of what we've got, and try to make it a fun and safe place for our valued community and fans!! Yay!

I think it would be helpful to have a one-time "Welcome to the Forums!" page when you first log in after registering and verifying. I was also a little confused when I first joined.

The welcome page could cover forum FAQs like how to post a screenshot, etc. It could also have a "Top Three FAQ's" from each LDW game so that if someone registered just to ask that question, they'd have their answer immediately.

Just a thought

I registered, and got my verification email, before I could even get my email open, and was approved instantly, and that was just this week.

I do have complaints about the searching though. I've never had a notice that I'm searching too much, but I never can find what I'm searching for. I too get tired of going thru forum pages and pages and still no answer to my questions.

Then I can't figure out where to post my question.

It's much better to use the Advanced button, which allows you to change the date range. The default search window only looks at posts in the last 7 days, and you're not likely to find what you're looking for.